Camera of laptop

Ranvijay Rathore 0 Reputation points
2026-09-15T01:04:06.6233333+00:00

Seems my laptop camera isn't working at all. I tried fixing it through my camera settings. No luck

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Devices and drivers
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  1. AI answer

    2026-09-15T01:04:20.82+00:00

    Try this order on Windows 11:

    1. Run the automated camera troubleshooter in Get Help. It can run diagnostics and fix many camera problems automatically.
    2. Check camera privacy settings:
      • Go to Start > Settings > Privacy & security > Camera.
      • Make sure Camera access is On.
      • Make sure Let apps access your camera is On.
    3. Check whether the camera is disabled in Windows:
      • Go to Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Cameras.
      • If the camera appears under Disabled cameras, select it and choose Enable.
      • Administrator access is required to enable a camera.
    4. If the camera appears under Connected cameras, open it and select Troubleshoot to launch Get Help for camera diagnostics.
    5. Check Device Manager:
      • Open Device Manager.
      • Expand Cameras.
      • If the camera is listed, uninstall it from the Driver tab using Uninstall Device, then restart the laptop so Windows reinstalls it.
      • Warning: do not do this on Surface Pro X. On that device, uninstalling camera drivers can require a full system reset to restore them.
    6. If the camera works only sometimes or is detected intermittently:
      • Open Settings.
      • Go to your camera settings.
      • Open Advanced camera options.
      • Turn on Basic camera driver mode.
      • Restart the app being used and test again.
    7. Also check for a physical camera shutter, privacy slider, or camera privacy key on the laptop. If privacy mode is enabled, Windows apps can appear to have a broken camera even when permissions are correct.

    If the camera does not appear in Bluetooth & devices > Cameras or Device Manager, Windows may not be detecting the hardware.

    References:

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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  2. EmilyS726 267.4K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-09-15T01:38:10.06+00:00

    If you open the Camera app, what does it say? Any error message? Or is it just a black screen? Any additional information would be helpful if you don't mind.

    Most camera issues can be due to a physical privacy cover covering the lens. Make sure that's not the case.

    Otherwise there is usually a physical button/key/switch you can use to turn the camera on or off. For example, most Lenovo uses F8 or Fn+F8, or a switch above the lens, HP has a camera key or a button on the side of the laptop, MSI uses F6 or Fn+F6, etc.

    If you are not sure, tell me what the camera app says/shows, and then please hold down Windows + R keys, type in msinfo32.exe and hit enter. Then share a screenshot of the System Information window. Thanks!

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